the suspicron of eccentricity. Out of this conflict arises the question: Is it art? And the answer: Yes and no. Yes, it could be, since the expansion of artistic boundaries is inherent in the creative process. _V 0, it need not be, for no mode in it"elf assures us of artistic valid- ity." (His italics.) In this remarkably compressed dissertation on possibility and necessIty, Mr. Messer advised the visitors to his museum that the new work they saw there may not be art now but that it might turn into art by the tIme their grandchildren came to see it-that is, if it was still preserved by grace of the broadenIng of the art concept. On the other hand, it might not ever be art if, through being by- passed in "the expansion of artistic boundaries," it failed to be ingested mto art histor) . That art, in Mr. O'Doherty's words, is "currently wIthout standards and criteria" causes one standard to prevail among modern-art officials-the prac- tIcal one of exhibiting as prolnptly and as conspIcuously as possible whatever is most publicized as the new. The vacuum of values is filled by the activity of open- ing doors into the future. A museum of contemporary painting and sculpture has become, it seems, a hotel for candi- dates on theIr way to permanent quar- ters in the annals of art. The law under which it operates requires that nom- inees from any source be provided with accommodations. Mr. Messer, one felt, was reluctant to extend the Guggen- heim hospitalit} to this particular exhi- bition \ of "pop" art), but, confronted by ItS credentials, he was compelled to yield. (Where and how these creden- tials were obtained is a problem for both sociology and art criticism.) To leave the question of values for history to decide may appear sensible in a time when novelty has hecome the ruling principle. The present gIves the impression of being tuu slippery to stand on; perhaps the future will provide more solid footIng. U nfortunatelv, the "pe- riod of transition" in art, as in other fields, did not begin yesterday. We have lived our entire lives in transition; lVlr. O'Doherty no doubt recalls the art- literary magazIne of the twenties that took its name from that situation. The rising tempo of change during the past forty years gives us no reason to ex- pect that there will ever be a period that is not a period of transition. If values are to exist, It will not be through their being handed to us by a more stabilized era; they must be formed w'th- in the transition itself and partake of ItS character. 1\I1r. Messer's "could be" and "n. ed not be" demand too much de- 139 t ::; '"'" "A .:, --:\' """ .# I..c. / i . For those who cherish individuality e- AUTHENTIC...NATURAL SHOULDER CLOTHING \' ; \ >><;\ ,. .{.... ," f:=: '. : , f-L"', :. ," "'f . . 1 " >> ::... , ' / .";t: , M"<' ..-4^"> -'"' .;r'. '> f . '-:; . ..::..." ... . ..' 4 , ",- t. ... : :: + þ" ......,. "<W<'>> .'. r \ ' fø .:1'" i^ '. -@- .'. .... , . .'*' ., :! I 1 , % .. '.(: ::.-> .-<.- 'v . "> :%: , '" " r t '\ , " -% fë þ ,'. .v -::; '*" '"$I' <;.. . & \; , ,. -'./ ! I f '\ '<: '" of(. .... oC:. ,/ / .' ">. À' t.. F. J>' Franklin upholds a gentleman's wardrobe . . . favors well bred imported worsteds in true to fall tones, well suited to the season, from $85 to $125. Jackets of Scottish herringbones in muted hues and bold checks, from $55. At your fa- vored shop or write FRANKLIN CLOTHES. 105 Fifth Avenue. New York. N. Y. . t t , %1. " '$I'..=- m-_ ..,.. .....<$ :-v." ......... N-. '.. "" '" "\ t'Y'\)MßAt ' I """ ....coG' } r E ,. ,.. .... "' - '. .. . '^"" 'f- :} t ,<, -ø.o:.:;' fu'" . . " ,.. P:." PI!!!;; 1\ v 'J .,' : ( :fÞ:. t ^" w. I ' . C .,; ø-:)+ ....... ;/::':" ". l ! ! !I! '* t t t .; '* 1"- .. .. ... .:of > . ..-"0 ...... Ä ,. 'Ø:: >I^ -.(0" .ocM'\tW .... ......,. *" ..F' ....... <""'" .-gv,. .:. ..:::::::!'.:.. .':":- " .:? ::,.::. M:: :1- Have you met The Bombay Martini? The Bombay Martini is the ultimate martini. It has a definite swagger about it. Try one with Bombay Dry Gin and Bombay Imported French Vermouth The result is sheer magic. Order a case of each immediately. A M PENROSE & CO I INC I SOLE IMPORTERS 1 EAST 57TH ST, NY I NY IMPORTED ENGLISH GIN - 100% GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRITS - 86 PROOF